The defensive line Ohio State will field in 2013 got a whole lot younger on Monday afternoon.

Already faced with having to replace three departing seniors, Ohio State learned that junior defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins will forego his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Hankins' decision is not a surprising one, since he is widely regarded as being a first-round draft pick in this April's draft.

"I have decided, with the support of my family, to forego my senior season at Ohio State in order to enter the NFL Draft," Hankins said in a statement on Monday afternoon. "I will always be grateful for the family I have gained here at Ohio State.

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The 6-foot-3, 322-pound All-Big Ten selection finishes his career at Ohio State with 138 tackles, 16.5 of which were tackles for a loss, and five quarterback sacks.

This past season, Hankins had 55 tackles and four tackles for a loss.

"I have enjoyed coaching and getting to know Johnathan Hankins over the past year," Coach Urban Meyer said. "His hard work on and off the field has given him an opportunity to move on to the next level. The coaching staff and I wish him all the best."

Hankins' departure means Ohio State will have four new starters on the defensive front line next season. John Simon, Nathan Williams and Garrett Goebel all just finished their senior seasons.

If there is position at which Ohio State has the depth to afford a loss to the NFL, it's on the defensive line. Playing integral roles in the Buckeyes' rotation on the defensive line this past season were Steve Miller, Noah Spence, J.T. Moore, Michael Bennett, Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt. Freshman Se'Von Pittman will also be in the mix after redshirting this season.

Meyer is also bringing in a strong group of defensive line recruits this season, with verbal commitments so far from Joey Bosa, Michael Hill, Tyquan Lewis, Donovan Munger, Billy Price and Tracy Sprinkle.

The last Ohio State player to leave early for the NFL was Thaddeus Gibson in 2009.

With Hankins having made his decision to make the move to the NFL, attention is turned to two other Buckeyes who have similar choices to make -- running back Carlos Hyde and defensive back Bradley Roby.

Hyde, a junior, ran for 970 yards and 16 touchdowns this past season.

Roby, a redshirt sophomore, was third on the team with 63 tackles. He intercepted two passes, broke up 17 and defended 19 others